First of all, I think there needs to be a proper definition of what constitutes a "power forward" when a question like this is posed because, in my opinion, Pavol Datsyuk is not a power forward by any stretch of the imagination.

Secondly, I was thoroughly surprised to see that I was the lone voter for Patrice Bergeron. He uses his size to perfection. He intimidates with his crushing forechecking. He is a master at battling for positioning in front of the net, creating fits for defencemen and goalies around the league. He centers the best all-round line in the NHL at even strength. Bergeron and his linemates, Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin, all are in the top nine among forwards in the League in advanced-metric website Behind The Net's plus/minus per 60 minutes at even strength statistic. Bergeron has been on the ice for 45 goals scored and only 24 against at 5-on-5 hockey.

He's also plenty valuable in other areas. He entered Monday's games sixth in the NHL in faceoff percentage at 57.6 percent, and he's taken more draws than anyone else in the top 20. He's won the second-most in the League with 695.

Bergeron also is No. 11 among forwards in blocked shots with 56. He's second among the Bruins' regulars on the penalty kill at 4.41 goals against per 60 minutes. When Boston is down a man, he's been on the ice for just seven goals against. Seven!

Don't get me wrong. I'd take a Malkin or a Datsyuk over Bergeron any day but like I said at the beginning, by my definition (Bergeron being the perfect definition) of a power forward, I would rank Bergeron as the best power forward on that list.

4809.....Personally, though i love his game, i don't consider Bergreron to be a power forward. One of my criteria would be a bare minimum of 200 pounds and 6' or taller, and those are just minimums! I'd prefer to call a power forward someone north of 210lbs and 6'2" and above. This would quickly rule out guys like Datsyuk, Marchand and even Downie as well as Bergeron. This is going by where i see him listed at 6'2", 195lbs.

It's so debatable. I googled "top nhl power forwards" and every site has a different opinion. One i saw had Brendan Morrow as an "honorable mention", the other had him #2 overall! Prob outdated, but an up to date list surely would have guys like Lucic, Perry, Benn, Hartnell, Backes and Kassian amongst others. Okay, that last guy was in jest, but hopefully one day soon!

For me, all time best power forwards would include, Wendel Clark, Tim Kerr, Mark Messier, John Leclair, Kevin Stevens, Eric Lindros, Keith Tkachuk, Iginla, Shanahan and of course, Cam Neely. Now, this is going from memory and of course from the era i'm most familiar with. I watched a lot of hockey in the late 70's and early 80's but my memory of those times is not as good as it is from the late 80's on.